When you get to the cache site you will find a thermal seep (a
natural salt lick). It is a part of the Lochsa Geothermal System
and is located near the edge of the Bitterroot lobe of the Idaho
batholith. The rocks in the area are a type of granite with quartz,
albite, microcline, clay minerals, serpentines and chlorites. Water
flows to depths of 2.2 to 3.9 km reaching temperatures of 106
degrees F. One view of the development of the thermal spring
results from the decay of radioactive elements contained in many of
the minerals which commonly occur in the granitic rocks. It could
also result from the deep circulation of ground water in fault
zones. Thermal water rapidly ascends to the surface along conduits
formed where permeable shears cross major shear zones.
Colgate Licks is one of five thermal springs (stanley, Weir
Creek, Colgate Licks, Jerry Johnson and Lolo) that discharge along
a shear system with numerous transecting, vertically dipping shear
zones, which control recharge, flowpath and discharge in the Lochsa
Geothermal System and define the course of the Lochsa River.
This area was named for George Colgate, who died near here. Back
in 1893, George accompanied a party of hunters to the flats working
as their camp cook. When he became so ill, the others in the party
decided that they should take him to civilization. But an attempt
at rafting the river felled and threatened the lives of others in
the party. He was delirious and near death. The others in the party
started the return trip to the licks leaving George by himself near
the river. A search party found the group near death themselves
from exposure and lack of food. An uproar at the time resulted from
his abandonment. Some claimed it was George's own fault for not
bringing the necessary medical supplies with him on the trip.
Others denounced the party for abandoning him. Colgate's body was
recovered the next summer and buried across the river from the
natural lick. I guess the moral of this true story is: ALWAYS BE
PREPARED!
To log this earthcache:
- Taking a picture is no longer allowed as a requirement for
logging an earthcache as of 1/1/11 but would be greatly
appreciated. If you choose to do a picture, please take a picture
of you with your gps with the lick site in the background.
- Name three minerals that make up Colgate Licks.
- What created the lick holes you see nearby?
- Compare the temperature at the lick by the stone steps to the
temperature of the water at the parking lot. What is the
difference?
The mile loop is very informative. There are signs along the trail
that tell about the history of fires that burned this area and
about the wildlife you might see if you are quiet walking the
trail. Please stay on the designated path. You do not need to get
off the trail to do this earthcache.